Black chicks talking

by Leah Purcell

Nine young Aboriginal women, successful in a variety of professions, tell their stories to Leah Purcell, herself a singer, songwriter, actor, choreographer and director. Some have achieved success in the white fella's world; others are working to improve life within Aboriginal communities or maintain indigenous traditions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Leah Purcell is a multi-award-winning and self-made author, playwright, actor, director, filmmaker, producer, screenwriter and showrunner. At the heart of her work are female and First Nation themes, characters and issues. The Drover's Wife was first a play written by and starring Purcell, which premiered at Belvoir St Theatre in late 2016 and swept the board during the 2017 awards season, winning the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award for Playwriting and Book of the Year; the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Drama and the Victorian Prize for Literature; the Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Stage Work, Major Work and the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre; the Helpmann Award for Best Play and Best New Australian Work; and the Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award. The feature film adaptation of The Drover's Wife, written, directed and starring Leah Purcell, is slated for a 2020 release. Leah Purcell is a proud Goa, Gunggari, Wakka Wakka Murri woman from Queensland.

(source: Amazon.au)

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going on my personal "learning about Australia 101" list. I'm going to badger all my friends into reading it if they haven't already. Because this book is ... I can't think of any better word: this book is awesome. It fills me with awe.

These ten women - the nine interviewees plus Purcell herself - share so much of themselves in this book, and so openly. And yet also so matter-of-factly. They don't pull punches about the awful parts of life, but what shines through so clearly is the shared humanity of all of us. Which is why it's going to be top of my 101 list.

It's close to impossible to choose a favourite interview or interviewee, or even a 'most influential' one. Cilla Malone (mother of five - I think) left me breathless and amazed by what she does in careing for her children and her community; Tammy Williams has done a staggering amount; Deb Mailman is just so strong and centred, as is Rachel Perkins only in an entirely different way; and Liza Gooda-Frazer in a different way again. Kathryn Hay - in many ways seems the most fragile of the group - has such grace in letting that fragility show, along with another core of strength that is there as well.

I just love the way this is written (put together), along with the Black Chicks painting (all in shades of pink!) and the portraits of all the women, and Leah's description of their dinner together as the culmination of the project.

[Velvetink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me crying in parts, some of the material was so powerful, connecting with the sense of loss of culture and the empty feeling of not belonging anywhere. Was co-incidental I read it just before NAIDOC Week which celebrates this year the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament.

In August 1963, the Yolngu people of Yirrkala in northeast Arnhem Land sent two bark petitions – framed by traditional ochre paintings of clan designs – to the Australian House of Representatives.

The petitions protested the Commonwealth’s granting of mining rights on land excised from Arnhem Land reserve and sought the recognition by the Australian Parliament of the Yolngu peoples’ traditional rights and ownership of their lands..

Today, we look to a future that better understands and celebrates the unique connection that Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander’s share to country, as we continue to build an Australia that reflects the achievements and furthers the aspirations of our people, and I feel the book "Black Chicks Talking" helps further those aims and gives some representation to the variety of some Aboriginal women's achievements and how diverse we all are.

In Black Chicks Talking nine young Aboriginal women, successful in a variety of professions, tell their stories to Leah Purcell. These are diverse stories from women of surprisingly different backgrounds. Some have achieved success in the white fella s world; others are working to improve life within Aboriginal communities or maintain indigenous traditions increasingly under siege.The book is a journey of discovery for both interviewer and subject, as Leah and the other women explore their backgrounds, aspirations, passions, spirituality and their own place in Australia.

Portraits of the women by renowned painter Robert Hannaford will be a feature of the book.Black Chicks Talking is set to rout the old stereotypes and showcase some of the young black women who are putting their stamp on the Australian cultural and political landscape. Their stories are at once uplifting and deeply moving, some a timely reminder that the wrongs of the past cast a wide shadow.The chicks are: Kathryn Hay (former Miss Australia), Cilla Malone (community worker), Frances Rings (dancer), Deborah Mailman (actor), Sharon Finnan (netballer), Rachel Perkins (film maker), Tammy Williams (youth affairs spokesperson), Rosanna Angus (tour guide), Liza Fraser-Gooda (marketing manager) and Leah Purcell, whose story and opinions are interwoven with those of her subjects.
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Found today 8/2/2013 - 1 of 20 books for $10.

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I've read extracts of this online ~ impressed~ & been waiting for my local library to get it in. They have now, so hoping I can find time this week to get it. :)

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to read a 2021 version of this!

[Jen Carruthers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love the concept and really want to hear what these girls have to say but I just cant get into it. I've tried three times between other books but I've failed to read much of it as it just feels like other people having a bland conversation that doesnt involve me or doesnt care if I listen in. I will definately try again because no doubt theres some interesting, funny and important topics brought up. And also because Leah knows what shes talking about

[Moira Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Leah Purcell; Nine/ten amazing Aboriginal women sharing their life experiences, culture and dealing with discrimination and inequality. Some truly inspirational stories, very honest, some quite upsetting but overall some great role models for indigenous Australian women and women in general. The book was written about 20 years ago so would be interesting to read a follow up. Definitely recommend especially if you are interested in knowing more about different cultures.